History
The first races were run in the town in 1882. The club that convened the meeting was originally called the Birdsville Amateur Turf Club. It later changed to the Diamantina Amateur Race Club as it also convened the Betoota race meeting. In 1990 it separated from Betoota and became the Birdsville Race Club Incorporated.
The 2007 races were affected by a national outbreak of horse flu. The 2009 event attracted a crowd estimated at around 7,000, requiring 20 extra police to be temporarily posted to the small town. The 2010 races were cancelled for only the third time in the events history, and the first time due to flooding; this did not prevent visitors partying, and betting on 'phantom' races.
Read more about this topic: Birdsville Races
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